Story perspectives

Serena Williams 44 returns with teen Mboko at Queen’s

6/5/2026

Summary

Williams Returns

Serena Williams, 44, will return to doubles with 19-year-old Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club.
They practiced on London grass courts on Thursday.
Mboko called playing with Williams an honor and posted “the Queen is back.”
Williams said the Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to start her next chapter, but she has not confirmed Wimbledon or U.S. Open participation.

Summary

Williams Eligible

Serena Williams regained eligibility on February 22 after completing a six-month anti-doping testing programme.
WTA Chair Valerie Camillo called Williams an athlete, though she denied return rumors in December 2025 after registering with the International Tennis Integrity Agency.
The HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club serve as a Wimbledon warm-up before the June 29 Slam.
Mboko, WTA Newcomer of the Year, entered 2026 with a 24-9 record and finals in Adelaide, Doha and Strasbourg.

Summary

Mboko Wild-card

Victoria Mboko received a wild-card for her first Queen’s Club appearance, calling the chance an honor on Instagram.
Mboko entered after winning a WTA 1000 title in Montreal, defeating Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka, and she has reached finals in Adelaide and Doha this year, climbing to world No. 9.
Serena Williams, mother of two, said the 25-year age gap offers mentorship and underscores a Canada-US collaboration ahead of Wimbledon.

History

Historical Context

In September 1973 Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome, winning a $100,000 prize and proving women could compete on equal terms, a milestone that helped launch the Women’s Tennis Association. That legacy resurfaces in 2026 as Serena Williams teams with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko at London’s Queen’s Club, highlighting cross-generational, international collaboration.

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Williams Returns

Serena Williams, 44, will return to doubles with 19-year-old Victoria Mboko at the Queen’s Club.
They practiced on London grass courts on Thursday.
Mboko called playing with Williams an honor and posted “the Queen is back.”
Williams said the Queen’s Club feels like the perfect place to start her next chapter, but she has not confirmed Wimbledon or U.S. Open participation.

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